Planning commission backs Pine Haven rezoning, recommends $1.8 million contribution to affordable housing fund

The Flagstaff Planning and Zoning Commission on July 23 recommended that City Council approve a direct-ordinance zoning map amendment for Pine Haven (PZ-22-00109-04), a proposed 83-unit, medium-density residential project at 2951 South Masonic Lane.

The commission's recommendation follows a staff presentation describing the 13.82-acre site and the applicant's commitments, including an approximately $1,800,000 financial contribution to the City of Flagstaff Affordable Housing Fund in lieu of building 10 on-site category 1 affordable units. The rezoning request would change split residential/commercial zoning and resource-protection overlays to the MR (Medium Density Residential) zone with the resource protection overlay, allowing an average density of six units per acre.

Staff planner Ben Mahi said the proposal meets the MR density range (6'9 units/acre in the resource protection overlay), and that the project is consistent with the regional plan area type of suburban neighborhood. The applicant proposed a mix of mostly three-bedroom units (72 of the 83 units) and said the development would meet parking and bicycle parking requirements (189 vehicle spaces and 12 bicycle spaces versus required 188 and 9, respectively). Mahi also described off-site public improvements the developer committed to provide, including a bike lane and sidewalk along East Zuni Drive, two bus stops on Zuni (both directions), and a right-turn lane from Lone Tree Road.

Why it matters: The contribution to the affordable housing fund is the largest the city has received under its program to date and substitutes for on-site affordable units. Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on transportation, pedestrian safety, resource-protection (tree preservation), and neighborhood amenities; several requested that certain previously proposed features be removed from the approved site plan.

Details of the proposal and developer commitments - Zoning and density: Rezoning to MR within the resource protection overlay for 83 units (6 units per acre). Staff said the density falls within the general plan's suburban neighborhood range of 2'1 units per acre. - Affordable housing: The applicant will make a roughly $1,800,000 contribution to the City of Flagstaff Affordable…